Wednesday, 6 June 2012

The Queen's Diamond Jubilee River Pageant

This pageant on the River Thames in London on Sunday June 3rd celebrated the 60 year reign of Queen Elizabeth II. She is the woman in white near the centre of this picture with members of her family. She is 86 years old and she stood throughout the progression of her Royal Barge for over two hours.

pic from Wikimedia Commons by Bex.Walton

Here is another, smaller royal barge which accompanied her.

pic from Wikimedia Commons by Tony Harrison

There were around a thousand vessels in the pageant, including these passenger boats

pic from Wikimedia Commons by Kevan Davis

and these man powered boats.

pic from Wikimedia Commons by AdamBMorgan

Before the end it was pouring with rain, but it didn't dampen the spirits of the thousands of cheering people lining the banks and crowding onto higher vantage points, as you you can see in some of the pictures. I sat in comfort at home a hundred or so miles away, watching on the TV. But I really would love to have been there.